International Spiritual Emergence Network

Italian Spiritual Emergencies Network

What are "spiritual emergencies" or "psycho-spiritual crises"?

Psycho-spiritual crises o "Spiritual emergencies" (described and named as such for the first time by the transpersonal authors Christina and Stanislav Grof), concern the difficulties that a person may encounter with respect to the spiritual sphere of his life, which can affect his psycho-emotional well-being and also affect other areas of its existence (relational, working, etc.).

These difficulties can take various forms, but the characterizing aspect is the uncomfortable confrontation and the difficulty of managing the spiritual experience itself and its various symbologies, even unconscious ones, which can also be associated with unusual psycho-physical sensations.

These symbologies, as evidenced by Transpersonal Psychology, outline an evolutionary path of transformation and growth (however difficult), and are often described by the spiritual traditions of the planet, which have highlighted the existence of higher-spiritual states of consciousness, such as meditative, ecstatic, shamanic, peak experiences, etc.

ISEN

ISEN (International Spiritual Emergence Network) is an international project born in 2015 within the "Grof Foundation" in the context of transpersonal research in psychology, psychotherapy, support, rehabilitation and personal evolution. Among the main founders and promoters there is Katie Mottram.

The main purpose of ISEN is to support people who find themselves living one spiritual emergency / psycho-spiritual crisis, through the creation of a network of resources involving various countries around the world.

The project was born on inspiration and as a continuation of the work started in the 80s by Christina and Stanislav Grof (scholars and activists of absolute relevance in the transpersonal landscape), who are the founders of the first SEN (Spiritual Emergence Network) in the USA, a reality that over the years has promoted reflection on the issue and the development of other SEN centers or similar associations in the world.

ISEN today aims to connect the different realities and projects on a global level that, at various levels, can contribute to the support of people and family members involved in a transformative process of spiritual emergency / psycho-spiritual crisis.

It also offers the opportunity to discuss, reflect on the topic and share information material on this type of crisis, also having the aim of involving the clinical world more and more and helping it to approach a vision that embraces the evolutionary dimensions of the crisis, and do not dwell only on the aspects of difficulty and discomfort, since this attitude risks overriding the creative potential inherent in every transformation process, however painful and uncomfortable it may be.

ISEN constitutes a planetary resource for all those interested in such a far-reaching topic.

• Since February 2017, ISEN has established its official headquarters in the autonomous island of Guernsey (United Kingdom).
• An international event took place on May 12 2017 based on LONDON, with concurrent events in other countries of the world: "EMERGING PROUD - Rethinking Madness"

The Italian collaboration

Starting with the transpersonal festival "Feeding The Soul"Of June 2015 - stimulated by having met authoritative personalities in the field, members of the" Sophia University "of Palo Alto (California, USA) - through the team work of Dr. Elena Toscan Dr. Fabrizio D'Altilia , Dr. Loretta Illuminati of the OM Center of Saludecio (Rimini), the first collaboration on the Italian territory was started between the Integral Transpersonal Institute and the ISEN project.

Since May 2016, we have been invited by the head of the ISEN Katie Mottram to work in video conference in an international team with representatives, therapists and activists of various countries (England, United States, Italy, Canada, Spain, Romania, Hungary, Australia, Poland, etc.). It was therefore the start of a productive discussion on the project, in which up to now the following have been drawn up together:

• the Ethics Charter "ISEN ETHICAL STANDARDS"
• the Charter of Values "VALUE STATEMENTS"
• La "SPIRITUAL CRISIS GUIDE"

The Italian network on spiritual emergencies / psycho-spiritual crises

• PROJECT SIX (Integral Spiritual Evolution)

Il "Project SEI - Integral Spiritual Evolution" was conceived by Dr. Elena Toscan within the Integral Transpersonal Institute, in conjunction with the publication in 2015 of her book "Dawn came. The evolutionary challenge of the spiritual crisis"- ITI Editions, Italian guide on the subject.

The purpose of SEI is to highlight the importance that a "healthy" spiritual development covers the psychological well-being of the person, like any other aspect (affective, emotional, cognitive, relational, etc.). In fact, those who find themselves experiencing conflicts or difficulties concerning the spiritual dimension of existence, can experience a discomfort that also negatively affects the other spheres of experience.

The psychological experience of spirituality, as the Transpersonal Psychology, is therefore a fundamental element for understanding the human being himself on an integral level, which presents itself as a complex system, in which even what we could define as "The spiritual dimension of the psyche" plays its role. In fact, a positive, evolutionary, significant contact with this dimension can represent a source of precious resource, but in the opposite case it can be a cause of difficulty and discomfort that affects the various levels, not only on the individual, but also on groups and the community.

Spiritual experience, considered on the basis of the model of Transpersonal Psychology and the "Cartography of the psyche" highlighted in this model, and based on the survey of states of consciousness, can be represented through various forms and symbols, and is not only linked to the religious experience (although it is also found in it). It essentially concerns contact with the dimension of the "sacred", common thread that is expressed in the most varied experiences at an individual level and in the different cultures of the world.

Currently also in Italy we are witnessing a wide interest in paths and practices related to the field of spirituality, often belonging to other cultures (such as shamanism, meditation and yoga, among the most common), which are also studied and used in the field clinical. On a global level, we are also increasingly experiencing the complex theme of religious and spiritual confrontation between different cultures.

The SEI project therefore wants to foster an opportunity for reflection, study, in-depth analysis on the issue either for professionals working in the clinical setting, who are called to have more and more skills in this area, both to better address those who find themselves in going through a psycho-spiritual difficulty, which often struggles to find adequate support for its difficulties, as this area is still very little considered and explored in the field of psychology in general.

Dr. Elena Toscan - psychologist, psychotherapist

Email: ele.toscan@gmail.com

Facebook page: SIX - Integral Spiritual Evolution

• OM Center of Saludecio (Rimini)

It is a Center affiliated with the Integral Transpersonal Institute of Milan, as a territorial reference that operates in the provinces of Rimini and Pesaro-Urbino.

It also deals with the treatment of spiritual emergencies since its opening.

It is a private practice of transpersonal psychology and psychotherapy, of counseling and developmental paths, oriented to new paradigms and new phenomenologies.

It is a center for high-profile psycho-spiritual group paths and activities.

It is a cultural, dissemination and meeting center between different philosophies, knowledge and research paths. Since 2011 it has organized cultural events and held conferences.

Facebook page: OM Center of Saludecio - Transpersonal Psychology

Dr. Loretta Illuminati - psychologist, psychotherapist

Email: lorettailluminati@gmail.com

Dr. Fabrizio d'Altilia - counselor, sociologist, anthropologist 

Email: f.daltilia@gmail.com

You can CONTACT US for:

• request information

• request to join the network of the Italian working group, for local initiatives or in connection with the international ISEN network

• invite us to hold conferences, seminars, training projects

• ask for counseling and therapy or personal development paths, in case of spiritual emergencies / psycho-spiritual crises

• ask for information for professionals, students, researchers

Italian Spiritual Emergencies Network

INTEGRAL TRANSPERSONAL INSTITUTE

In collaboration with

ISEN (International Spiritual Emergence Network)

Official site: www.spiritualemergencenetwork.org

Facebook page: International Spiritual Emergence Network

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